Whether you think you saw Bigfoot, are feeling a little sleepy, or aren’t quite sure what a camel is doing in Arizona, these 7 strange hunting laws are for you.
Some of these laws are creations of necessity, long past gone. Others happened just by chance. But all of them are certainly bizarre!
Here are seven hunting laws that are just plain old weird.
Bigfoot – Big Myth, Real Laws
Where:
California, New York, Texas, Washington.
What:
Well, even though he’s myth and legend, there are several laws pertaining to Bigfoot, or Sasquatch. In California, you cannot hunt him in anyway. In New York, you can only photograph him. In Texas, you can actually hunt him to your heart’s content (good luck)! Washington is the the opposite of Texas, as you cannot even harass him (that’s right, you can’t even ask to take a selfie with you).
Pays to be Different
Where:
Tennessee
What:
It is illegal to shoot an Albino deer in Tennessee. This may sound pretty normal, but you have to understand that an albino deer isn’t genetically different than a regular colored deer. There is no real reason for this law to exist. In fact, when they were discussing hunting laws in Tennessee the person that created this law actually said there was no reason for it, they just thought it would be cool. And now it’s a law.
Leave Joe Cool Alone!
Where:
Arizona
What:
It is illegal to hunt CAMELS in Arizona. Yes, camels. If you frequent Arizona, you probably can’t remember a time you saw a camel walking around the desert. Now… there’s more to the story. This law was only implemented during the Civil War when the US Army imported camels to Arizona because they could handle the heat and carry more than any horse or donkey. Well, after the experiment ended (people loved the camels, by the way) the remaining camels were either sold or let loose. At this point, it was made illegal to hunt camels just to make sure they weren’t picked off prematurely. But now, there’s just no reason for it.
Like a Deer in Headlights
Where:
West Virginia and Tennessee
What:
You don’t need to hit a great shot with your rifle or bow to bring home some grub in these two states. Here, you can bring home any roadkill that you find while out on your travels. Yes, FIND. You don’t need to be the one to do the deed, you just need to find it. Bon Appétit!
No Photography… Kind Of
Where:
Montana
What:
During the hunting season, Montana has disallowed the use of trail cameras, which may not seem too strange. The strange thing is that during the rest of the year trail cameras are completely legal to use. This makes the law seem flimsy at best, with many hunters having their cameras up right until hunting season starts. Many think this strangely adopted law is sure to be off the books soon.
Stay Awake… or Take Your Shoes Off
Where:
North Dakota
What:
Most people have nodded off while waiting for a deer to wander by. But in North Dakota, that’s illegal. Well. It’s partially. You can’t lie down and have your shoes on, is the law. So as long as you stay off the ground or at least remove your shoes, you should be okay.
I Think I Saw Cupid!
Where:
New Hampshire
What:
In the great state of New Hampshire, bowhunters must have their name and address on every single one of their arrows. While you can probably understand how it might useful to have this information on hand should something go wrong, but it seems like a lot of effort that only New Hampshire is willing to do.
Some of these laws are a bit of strange ideas and good intentions. Others are a product of their time. But some just don’t seem to make a lot of sense.
These aren’t the only crazy laws out there so make sure you do a little bit of research before you brave the wild, and the law, the next time you’re out there hunting.
